Author Topic: Simmer.  (Read 5757 times)

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Offline 8ullfrog

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Simmer.
« on: May 01, 2014, 08:18:23 PM »
We've been on a pretty much all burrito, golly cooking dinner schedule.


This means a lot of practice for mom, which is awesome.

She's been making abysmal rice for years, and it turns out distraction was key. She wasn't simmering properly, and was wandering off.

Some might say "Well you take over". This pretty much ignores the fact that most cooks do not take kindly to kitchen invasion.

Today I asked her to simmer the rice just a bit longer than usual, and the results were fantastic. No crunchy rice in this batch.

What else tastes better when you let it simmer?

Offline 6pairsofshoes

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2014, 12:37:19 AM »
yep.  that's about right.
a Venezuelan roommate taught me how to make rice.
put a little oil in the bottom of the pot, heat on high.  Throw in the rice and stir constantly until it becomes opaque white but not burned.  Then throw in 2 times as much water as rice plus 1/4 c.  Bring to a rolling boil, reduce the heat at once to a very low simmer and cover tightly for 10-12 minutes.  We use Basmati rice that we buy in 10 or 20 pound bags from the Indian grocery.  If it sticks to the bottom, let it rest covered for a few minutes and the moist heat will release it.

It's great.  Also, if you have lots of stuff to cook in addition to the rice, once the rice is cooked, you can leave the lid on and stuff the pot into the oven where the pilot light helps keep it warm while you cook the rest of the dinner.  This can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the microwave with a few sprinkles of water when needed.  We eat a lot of rice.  It's great to have on hand.

Offline xtopave

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2014, 11:01:25 AM »
What else tastes better when you let it simmer?

Stews. Meat cuts used for stews have a high collagen content (= cheaper meat cuts). When you let them simmer they tenderize but don't break apart. Also all the flavors concentrate and the stew tastes better.

Offline xtopave

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2014, 03:42:25 PM »
Revenge.

So you let it simmer and you serve it cold?

Offline mishca09

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2014, 09:06:10 PM »
gravy

Offline 6pairsofshoes

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2014, 09:25:19 PM »
So you let it simmer and you serve it cold?

you guys crack me up.

Offline dweez

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Re: Simmer.
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2014, 10:22:38 PM »
--dweez